As a parallel to the steam locomotive display care and maintenance discussion, please note that EMD as well as other builders have developed instructions on the long term storage and for shipment of their locomotives. In the case of EMD, that document is Maintenance Instruction 1726. EMD's address is 9301 West 55th Street, La Grange, Illinois 60525.

PC

For those who would like a copy.

Mike Tillger

From the FAQs here:

It would be a particularly valuable contribution to railroad history if our leaders in preservation were to advocate and negotiate for an agreement with Progress Rail to provide a release of copyright to preservation/historical organizations for EMD publicly distributed materials printed before an agreed historically significant division date between product lines (prior to 1966 for example) or relating to a particular engine model series (567 for example). That would eliminate the need for the item by item negotiation with the Caterpillar legal department over posting of legacy maintenance related documents to the internet.

PC

Sent a couple of emails to RPCA through the website about hosting some of my already scanned material. Never heard back from them, except a returned email stating the mailbox was full! If anyone needs EMD info feel free to contact me, as I share with just about everyone who has a legitimate use.

Mike Tillger

The best way to preserve a diesel locomotive is to maintain it in running order. Even if just starting it on occasion to let it run for a while then shut it back down. Obviously that is not always an option since batteries are expensive things to buy and difficult to move around. Alternatively, a 120 VAC oil pump plumbed into the engine oil system can circulate oil throughout the engine, then bar it over keeping everything limber. If you have one locomotive then you can just permanently install it. If you have several then make it portable. Once a year prelube the engine and bar it over.

I know of a Plymouth diesel mechanical loco that is now a 7 ton brick because it had no air filter on the intake, mice got in and built nests above the valves, urinated and froze the engine. So be sure to close off any ports that mice can enter.

Stack caps are an absolute must have.

And most of all, every so often just open the long hood doors, peek your head in and look around. Preservation is an activity sport!

Depending on where it's to be stored/ displayed, etc... I would:
Plug or cover all hood openings....not just the exhaust , Intake, etc... all the hood vents, radiator grills..anything that allows access to stuff like birds, mice, wasps,etc...
The stack cap should be metal, painted in a rust preventing paint and should be shaped to drain any water,etc...
Regular bug treatments are also a must....wasps, ants and roaches can cause damage too.
Probably a good idea to lock most of the hood access doors as well...I don't like the idea of welding them shut, but in a park display it'll keep most souvenir hunters out...
Even in a park, regular barring and oil circulation would be very good....
Not sure how it would be possible, but securing against scrap thieves would be a good idea...perhaps covering traction motor cables somehow...

I have contacted the President of RPCA as well as their Webmaster and hopefully the good Mr. Tilger will be hearing from RPCA directly.

G.F.Payne
Baltimore, MD